WRITTEN QUESTION E-0708/02 by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Advertised automobile performances.
Date: 2002-03-15
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: advertising, competence of the Member States, highway code, impact of advertising, motor vehicle industry, road safety, speed control

29.8.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 205 E/197

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(24 April 2002)

The Commission fully supports the establishment by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) of the
World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalisation and has also expressed its interest in
contributing to its work.

The World Commission can help the international community to better understand the complex interface
between globalisation,
trade liberalisation, poverty reduction, social development and decent work,
including core labour standards. The World Commission could also propose innovative and effective
approaches and initiatives in order to strengthen the social dimension of globalisation. The Commission
then be better equipped to harness globalisation and
hopes that
maximise the economic and social benefits of globalisation and trade. The World Commission should seek
the contribution of other international organisations such as World Trade Organisation (WTO), United
Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad), World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF),
etc. in order to develop an integral and comprehensive approach.

the international community will

The World Commission will address its report to the ILO in 2003. Decisions on new initiatives and actions
remain with the ILO Governing Body and the International Labour Conference which are composed of
Member States on a tripartite basis.

The Commission contributes actively to the social dimension of globalisation. On 18 July 2001, it adopted
a Communication on promoting core labour standards and strengthening social governance in the context
of globalisation (1) and a Green Paper on Corporate Social Responsibility (2) which are being discussed by
the Parliament.

The cooperation with the ILO has been intensified and a new exchange of letters between the Commission
and the ILO was signed on 14 May 2001 in order to strengthen the cooperation. A high level meeting
between the Commission and the ILO on 14 February 2002 launched a new phase of cooperation
including technical and development cooperation on core labour standards, capacity building, poverty
reduction, social dialogue, social protection and decent work.

(1) COM(2001) 416 final.
(2) COM(2001) 366 final.

(2002/C 205 E/209)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0708/02

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(15 March 2002)

Subject: Advertised automobile performances

Automobile manufacturers take particular pride in advertising performances of the models they produce.
The vast majority of automobiles are capable of achieving speeds greatly in excess of speed limits
applicable on European motorways and it is not at all rare to find automobiles achieving speeds of 250 or
300 km/h or even more. However, it is known that in most EU Member States the speed limits are situated
between 100 and 140 km/h.

How is it possible to justify advertisements for models which are capable of achieving two or even three
times the statutory speed limits? Which authority is responsible for issuing type-approval for automobiles
capable of exceeding speed limits applicable on motorways? Can this be justified? What solution could be
found to prevent this indirect infringement by drivers of the statutory speed limits applicable in each
Member State?

C 205 E/198

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.8.2002

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(29 April 2002)

Most passenger cars today have a maximum design speed in excess of 140 kilometres per hour (km/h).
Since the Community motor vehicle legislation sets no maximum limit for design speed of vehicles,
Member States cannot refuse to issue Community type-approvals for cars with high-speed performance.
However, the issue of a Community type-approval cannot be interpreted as providing clearance for the
vehicle to be driven at speeds exceeding the speed limits set for public roads.

It must be noted that on some portions of the motorway network in the Community territory the speed of
vehicles is not limited and that driving rules fall largely under the competence of the Member States
according to the principle of subsidiarity.

There is no Community legislation that restricts the advertiser from mentioning the maximum speed of a
motor vehicle in an advertisement. However there exists national legislation and codes of conduct that
forbid the use of concepts based on speed in cars advertising.

(2002/C 205 E/210)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0715/02

by Guido Podestà (PPE-DE) and Raffaele Lombardo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Children’s rights and gay couples

(15 March 2002)

In Norway gay couples may adopt the children which their partners have had in previous relationships.
The Swedish Government is currently preparing a bill to extend the right to adopt children to homosexual
couples.

There have also been repeated requests from gay couples for artificial insemination. This important issue
raises the question of the effective protection of children’s rights, which must be given precedence over the
rights of couples, as officially laid down in the Charter of Fundamental Rights adopted at Nice. The
Charter’s provisions on the protection of family life lay special emphasis on the protection of children’s
rights.

The Commission:

A Would it agree that research work, statistical surveys and assessments should be carried out into the
development, in psychological and mental terms as well as from the point of view of socialisation, of
children who are brought up in homosexual families, as is already the case in certain countries?

A Does it not consider that surveys should be conducted to ascertain whether the role which parents
should play with a view to the healthy development of their children’s personality can be taken on by
gay couples?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(14 May 2002)

The matter raised by the Honourable Member does not fall within the scope of Community competence. It
is a matter for the Member States.

Health studies may be funded under the Community Programme on Health Promotion, Information,
Education and Training (1) which has supported a series of actions on developing ‘measures to reach sound
mental health practices’. None have dealt with the issue raised by the Honourable Members.

A final call
programme,
Community public health programme, currently before the Parliament and Council.

for proposals was issued in July 2001 for the funding round 2002, after which this
together with the other seven public health programmes, will be replaced by a new